Help with value of Colt.

[Gotti817]

Guys, I really need your help. I know this is not a 1911, however, It's still a Colt and I hope you can help me. This is a Colt 1909, New Service that was originally chambered in .455 Eley. It was then arsenal converted to .45 Colt. It has British proof marks and I've been told that it was part of the lend/lease program with the British. It's in very good shape aesthetically and mechanically and retains approximately 80% of the original finish. Serial number is 84972 with the letter K beneath it. As you can see in the pics it also has the lanyard loop on the grip frame. I've looked in all of the blue books for firearms value and I've been unable to ascertain its value. Can you please help?

Thanks for your time.

Gotti.

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[Hunter]

Hey Gotti this is what I found out on your Colt New Service. Made from 1898 through 1944 and offer in .38 Special, .357 mag., .38-40, .44 Russian, .44 Special, .44-40, .45 ACP, .45 LC, .450 Eley, .455 Eley, and .476 Eley. Barrel lengths from 2" to 7.5" either blued or nickel plated. Checkered hard rubber grips were standard until 1926 and then checkered walnut with a Colt medallion. Largest swing out cylinder double action revolver Colt ever made. Around 356,000 made in the 46 years they were available. Looks like yous was made in 1916. The book I have lists serial numbers 6000-15000 as an early target model and value is for excellent $3000 Very Good at $1500 Good at $550 Fair at $300 and poor at $200. However there is not listing as far as how the British proof marks or rechambering will affect value. My guess is the British proof marks would add value but I am not sure about rechambering. I imagine it would be worth at the very least $1500 then add for the proof marks. The ones shown in my book that were sold were all sold at auctions so who knows what it might go for to the right person.

[Gotti817]

Hey Gotti this is what I found out on your Colt New Service. Made from 1898 through 1944 and offer in .38 Special, .357 mag., .38-40, .44 Russian, .44 Special, .44-40, .45 ACP, .45 LC, .450 Eley, .455 Eley, and .476 Eley. Barrel lengths from 2" to 7.5" either blued or nickel plated. Checkered hard rubber grips were standard until 1926 and then checkered walnut with a Colt medallion. Largest swing out cylinder double action revolver Colt ever made. Around 356,000 made in the 46 years they were available. Looks like yous was made in 1916. The book I have lists serial numbers 6000-15000 as an early target model and value is for excellent $3000 Very Good at $1500 Good at $550 Fair at $300 and poor at $200. However there is not listing as far as how the British proof marks or rechambering will affect value. My guess is the British proof marks would add value but I am not sure about rechambering. I imagine it would be worth at the very least $1500 then add for the proof marks. The ones shown in my book that were sold were all sold at auctions so who knows what it might go for to the right person.

Hunter, thank you very much for your time and help. I kind of figured it had some value to it, however, I could never really find any substantial info regarding it. Do you have any other ideas as to who else I might contact to obtain a letter of authenticity/value to better document this Colt?

Thanks again.

Mike.

[Hunter]

You can call Colt at 1 800 962 Colt with a description and serial number and they can tell you a little about it over the phone or a letter from Colt will be very detailed but cost you about $100. The letter from Colt will raise the value by more than it costs. I know a dealer in Greenville N.C. who sells right many older Colts and the oldest ones he does get the letter from Colt and it does help the value. Also Mark the Colt rep. who posts here might be able to help you out through email. You can pm him and see. Look for Mark in the Colt forum under industry rep. That is a nice pistol and something I would be proud to own.

[Gotti817]

You can call Colt at 1 800 962 Colt with a description and serial number and they can tell you a little about it over the phone or a letter from Colt will be very detailed but cost you about $100. The letter from Colt will raise the value by more than it costs. I know a dealer in Greenville N.C. who sells right many older Colts and the oldest ones he does get the letter from Colt and it does help the value. Also Mark the Colt rep. who posts here might be able to help you out through email. You can pm him and see. Look for Mark in the Colt forum under industry rep. That is a nice pistol and something I would be proud to own.

Hunter, thanks again for the info. I have sent a PM to Mark and hopefully he can help me. I've also contacted Colt as you suggested and they told me that the gun was made in 1915. I've also contacted the Blue Book of Gun Values and maybe they can shed some light. The dealer that you know in N.C. have a number I can contact him at?

Thanks again for your time.

Mike.

[Hunter]

Yes I know of two that might be able to help you. I would try Bill Bailey first in Claremont at (828) 459 7175. He is a Colt collector and knows right much. Also Doc's Guns in Greenville has several older Colts and is worth a call at (252) 758 2020. I have had dealings with both gentlemen and they really seem honest and I imagine they can help you.

[Gotti817]

Yes I know of two that might be able to help you. I would try Bill Bailey first in Claremont at (828) 459 7175. He is a Colt collector and knows right much. Also Doc's Guns in Greenville has several older Colts and is worth a call at (252) 758 2020. I have had dealings with both gentlemen and they really seem honest and I imagine they can help you.


Hunter, thanks again. I'll try calling them later today. Anything I should or shouldn't say to them?

Best.

Mike.

[Hunter]

Mike the folks at Doc's guns are real friendly. I dought a Winchester 1897 take down shot gun from Doc back around October. When I called him he told me exactly what he had and when I went there he had what he said he did and right much more. The older Colt SAA he had were way out of my price range. I do remember seeing a Nickle SAA Colt from sometime in the 1880s with the letter from Colt but the tag said 10,000 on it and he had a few others a little cheaper. His collection of 1911s by Colt and Remington Rand were reasonable and he talked like he knew his stuff. I have only talked with Bill briefly at two different gunshows when I bought some Colt medallions from him and a few other things but I am sure he knows his stuff. The Colts he sells at the shows blew me away but still out of my price range on most things. I can budget a grand or so for a new Colt for me but that is about the best I can do till I get my house paid for. Anyway I believe they can help you and are relatively easy to deal with.

[Gotti817]

Mike the folks at Doc's guns are real friendly. I dought a Winchester 1897 take down shot gun from Doc back around October. When I called him he told me exactly what he had and when I went there he had what he said he did and right much more. The older Colt SAA he had were way out of my price range. I do remember seeing a Nickle SAA Colt from sometime in the 1880s with the letter from Colt but the tag said 10,000 on it and he had a few others a little cheaper. His collection of 1911s by Colt and Remington Rand were reasonable and he talked like he knew his stuff. I have only talked with Bill briefly at two different gunshows when I bought some Colt medallions from him and a few other things but I am sure he knows his stuff. The Colts he sells at the shows blew me away but still out of my price range on most things. I can budget a grand or so for a new Colt for me but that is about the best I can do till I get my house paid for. Anyway I believe they can help you and are relatively easy to deal with.


Hunter, as usual, you're the man. Thank you and I will call them on Monday. I really appreciate your time and info.


Mike.

[Hunter]

You are welcome. I try to help when I can.